Jonny's Redemption (Gemini Group Book 7) by Riley Edwards (audio ebook reader TXT) 📕

“You shouldn’t have had to keep that secret.”

That statement was for both Macy and Alec but it was Jonny’s sister-in-law who answered, “But you’re private and—”

“No, Macy, I’m not private. I was a coward who kept important stuff about my life from the people I cared about, who cared about me. No more.”

Bobby snuggled closer and Jonny adjusted to make room for his woman. She hadn’t said a single word after Jonny started his sordid story. She’d sat quietly offering her support. She’d held his hand and squeezed when he needed encouragement.

“The second thing?” Jonny prompted.

“We haven’t told anyone yet. I wanted to tell you first. Alec and I are going to have a baby.”

Jonny sat stunned. Speechless. Overcome with joy.

Luckily, Bobby knew what to say.

“Oh my God! That’s so great. How far along are you? When are you due? We’re so excited.”

Macy said something, likely answering one of the questions Bobby had asked but Jonny didn’t hear a word. He hadn’t taken his eyes off Alec. His friend. His real brother. Real in every sense of the word. Alec was the standard by which a man should be judged. He’d taken in two children who were not his blood but loved them the same as the daughter who was. Alec had blended two families into one and he’d done it seamlessly. And this new child would be welcomed like the blessing he or she was.

“Happy for you,” Jonny interrupted.

Macy snapped her mouth closed and new tears formed.

“Thank you,” Jonny went on.

“I don’t know what you’re thanking me for,” Macy said.

“There’s a lot I could thank you for, Macy, but I was talking to Alec.”

“You don’t—”

“I do,” Jonny cut Alec off. “If nothing else, I’m grateful for the way you love them, but you know it's more than that, brother.”

Alec lifted his chin and cleared his throat. “I hate to cut this short but I’d like to get home and spend some time with my kids before we drop them off at Ron and June’s.”

Ron and June Hartley were Macy’s parents. The only grandparents Rory and Caleb had. Unlike Jonny’s parents, they were good people and loved having their grandchildren around. Seeing as Jonny’s father hadn’t had time for sons, Calvin hadn’t had any for his Caleb and Rory when he was alive. And Anita was at best indifferent about them.

Everyone stood and while the women were saying goodbye, chattering on about the trip to Nashville, Alec jerked his head toward the door.

As soon as the two men were out of earshot Jonny launched in.

“That was fucked-up, you being in a position to have to keep my secret. I shouldn’t have asked—”

“Shut it,” Alec interrupted. “I don’t make a habit of keeping shit from my wife, but there are times when it’s not my place to say anything, and that goes both ways, to you and to her. I knew you were working up the nerve to talk to her and she needed some time to pluck up the courage. It’s all good. But I do need to talk to you about Candy Bull.”

Jonny went from a family situation that made his heart sore to a straight-up evil situation that made his gut roil.

“What about Candy?”

“I’m getting a gut feeling all of us leaving and her staying in Kent County unprotected is a bad idea.”

“She won’t be unprotected. I talked to Vaughn and he’s all-in.”

Vaughn wasn’t big on socializing. As in he didn’t do it, period. The guy needed to be alone like some people needed coffee to function in the morning. It was a damn miracle he was able to hold down a job his need ran so deep. But then so did his need to protect people.

“And while he’s at work?”

“Sheriff Baker.”

“Seriously? He agreed to that?”

No, he hadn’t agreed. Jonny had guilted him into it. Reminding him that Anderson’s life had been ruined because of them. Neither Jonny nor Baker had planted those drugs in Anderson’s car, but they’d been with the department at the time and they both had known something wasn’t right. Every single man and woman in uniform at the time of Anderson’s bogus arrest was at fault and now there was a strong possibility he was dead. At the very least they owed his wife their protection.

“Can’t say he’s thrilled Candy hired Gemini Group but after we spoke he saw the wisdom in taking Dillinger’s warning seriously.”

“In other words, you reminded him he’d taken over a dirty sheriff’s job.”

Alec was sharp.

“Well, there was that, too.”

“Right. Good. Vaughn and Baker can handle her until we get back. It’s only two days.”

Jonny’s lips twitched at Alec’s nervousness.

It had nothing to do with Candy. Not that he didn’t want her safe but he had something else on his mind.

“The kids will be fine with the Hartleys.”

“I know.” Alec stopped and blew out a breath. “That obvious, huh?”

“Yeah, brother, it’s written all over your face you don’t want to leave them.”

“Shit. I don’t want to hurt Evie’s feelings.”

“I don’t think it’s possible to hurt anyone’s feelings when the reason you don’t want to go is because you love your kids.”

Alec nodded and looked over Jonny's shoulder before his gaze came back to Jonny.

“I do, you know. I love all three of them. Not one more than the other, but each one differently. I love my girls, Jonny, I love them in a way that if I think about it too hard it’ll bring me to my knees. All the shit that’s out there in the world that can hurt them drives me around the bend I think on it. But my boy, Caleb, so fucking strong stepping up the way he did before he had me. Every day I bust my ass to be the man he deserves me to be. And now this new one coming. I pray it’s a girl. It won’t suck having another princess around the house but at the same time it will because that’ll be